Indians Finally Catch Their Quarry

After weeks of slow-speed pursuit, the Cleveland Indians have finally passed the Oakland Athletics in the American League wild-card race.

Manny Ramirez homered and drove in three runs Tuesday night in a 14-6 rout of the Athletics at Cleveland.

“It’s good to be in first,” said Indian Manager Charlie Manuel, who can be forgiven for the faulty arithmetic. Cleveland remains 7 1/2 games behind Chicago in the AL Central.

“But we have to go out there and play just as hard tomorrow.”

The Indians, trying to make it to the postseason for the sixth consecutive season, won their fourth in a row by chasing Gil Heredia (13-9) early.

Cleveland has won 13 of 18 and leads the wild-card chase by half a game over the banged-up A’s--who have dropped four of five and are playing without injured Randy Velarde and Jason Giambi--and Boston, which lost to the Angels, 11-4.

“You’re not going to be on top of the mountain every year,” said Sandy Alomar, who drove in three runs. “We’ve played all year without guys and we’re still around. It’s great to be ahead.”

The A’s, 18-20 since the All-Star break, have lost 11 of 16 but swept Cleveland a week ago at Oakland.

“I’d be lying if I said we didn’t want to come out and send a little message tonight,” Travis Fryman said. “A perfect scenario would be to sweep all three and square things up. We’re very glad they were back here so soon.”

Chuck Finley (10-9) was touched for two early runs, then straightened himself out after two shaky innings to win for the first time since July 25. He gave up three runs and seven hits for his first win over the A’s since July 12, 1997.

Texas 5, New York 4--Rafael Palmeiro hit a tiebreaking homer in the eighth inning for the Rangers, who won at New York.

Texas wasted a 4-0 lead and appeared to be on the way to its 32nd loss in 40 games at Yankee Stadium when New York loaded the bases with two out in the seventh inning.

Tim Crabtree (2-6) relieved Rick Helling and fell behind to Derek Jeter, 3-and-1, before striking him out on a high fastball. Crabtree pumped his fist as he left the mound, having retired Jeter for only the fourth time in 12 lifetime at-bats.

Palmeiro, who went three for four with two RBIs, then put the Rangers back ahead leading off the eighth.

Seattle 8, Detroit 4--The Mariners ended their eight-game losing streak when Mike Cameron hit a tiebreaking, two-run double in the eighth inning and Alex Rodriguez hit a three-run homer in the ninth of a victory at Detroit.

The AL West-leading Mariners also ended a string of giving up at least nine runs in seven consecutive games. That tied the major league record set by the 1901 New York Giants.

Tampa Bay 3, Minnesota 2--Fred McGriff and Bobby Smith homered for the Devil Rays, who won at Minneapolis.

Ryan Rupe (5-4) struck out eight in a season-high seven innings, giving up four hits for Tampa Bay, which won its third game in a row.

Twin starter J.C. Romero (2-3) gave up four hits in 7 1/3 innings, but two of the hits were the homers by McGriff and Smith.

Toronto 7, Kansas City 5--Brad Fullmer hit a three-run homer and Tony Batista followed with his 36th home run for the Blue Jays in their win at Toronto.

Royals’ starter Dan Reichert took a 5-3 lead into the eighth inning. He was pulled after issuing a leadoff walk to David Martinez and giving up a single to Carlos Delgado.

Jose Santiago (6-4) relieved and gave up Fullmer’s 26th homer.

Batista then connected for an insurance run.

Kelvim Escobar (8-13) got two outs for the win. Billy Koch pitched a perfect ninth inning for his 29th save.